3G/EDGE/Wi-Fi Question

[cjkeeno]

I was wondering if 3G/EDGE is required to run most of the important functions on the phone, or if wi-fi can be used as an alternative. Also do you HAVE to get a data plan for this phone, or can you just buy the phone and use a regular family plan (with texting.)
Thanks!

[GT1-Man]

I was wondering if 3G/EDGE is required to run most of the important functions on the phone, or if wi-fi can be used as an alternative. Also do you HAVE to get a data plan for this phone, or can you just buy the phone and use a regular family plan (with texting.)
Thanks!

You do have to get a data plan for this phone but you get free T-mobile HotSpot service
I don't know about the 3G/Wi-Fi switch but they both are wireless thats all I have

[choaxman]

im not sure

but i think you do need the plan or else it would be like having a sidekick without the sidekick plan meaning i think it will jus be like a reg. phone that you can talk and text on but havin the wifi might jus add internet with that but i know for a fact if you dont get the plan you wont be able to get apps unless you download them off the internet and put it on the phone yourself

[cjkeeno]

Awesome that helps a bit! Thanks
If anyone has more info please share!

[GT1-Man]

keep in touch my friend

[rayosx]

I was wondering if 3G/EDGE is required to run most of the important functions on the phone, or if wi-fi can be used as an alternative. Also do you HAVE to get a data plan for this phone, or can you just buy the phone and use a regular family plan (with texting.)
Thanks!

I was told by customer service rep that still will work without the 3g, there are many areas in T-mobile that we don't have the 3g yet, I am in one of those, so the phone will work normally for what we have, but 3G will make it better (faster data connection). As me, I'll have to wait until T-Mobile put the 3G Network oohh  my god ! * Sigh *

Now, by T-mobile when you buy the G1 is required to have one plan of data and it comes unlimited. You hav two options for now   $ 25.00 for 400 Tex Messages and Unlimited Data (internet) and $ 35.00 for Unlimited Text / Unlimited Data (internet).

The answer to your question I believe is this, Yes, it is required and it's an obligation to use a Data Plan one of the above that I wrote.

Hope that I helped you to answer your question

[cjkeeno]

Thanks! this does help a lot!

[rayosx]

cjkeeno,

[cjkeeno]

this is a bit off topic (actually a lot!) but I'm actually watching LotR right now...hahaha
i love Gandalf! he's my favorite!

BTW thanks everyon for your replies again!

[rayosx]

cjkeeno,
Lord of the Rings ?
I love it !

[odomandr]

blackberries can browse on wifi without a data plan, so from what i understand and what i have come to assume, the g1 can also.  when i ordered mine it never asked about the data plan of my choice.  from what i understand if you are an existing customer you will keep your same plan and have to add data if you dont already have it (meaning you will need to call customer care and add it to your plan), but as long as there is wireless internet in the area you can access it with a wep key (if needed) without the data plan.  however if you are in an area with no wireless internet then you will need the data plan to access online features of the phone.  if you are in an area with 3g you will use it/wifi as priority, edge will be used in all other cases that 3g and wifi are not available

on another note, all messaging services will be done through the data plan on this phone, meaning regardless of your current plan, to send/recieve text/picture messages you will need one of the data plans.


please let me know if im wrong but i dont think you had to get the data plan also to receive the $179 deal as i have noticed in other threads.  i do understand that you must extend your contract for two years and be eligible for a full upgrade to receive the $179 deal, but the data plan is not a requirement

[rayosx]

odomandr,
I was told by customer rep from t-mobile that was required, and when I pre ordered online, there was a message in the bottom that you need to check mark that you agreed with the terms of the contract and the data plan, etc.   So yes it was required !

[ziggyaz]

the data plan is a requirement as is the 2 yr commitment.  per customer sevice.

[odomandr]

well tonight i logged on to my tmobile account to see if i was on a data plan, and as i previously stated I am not on a data plan.  Also i am still using all the functions of the phone (no 3g yet) but wifi, updates, the market, gmail, etc is all working fine. ive even been sending text messages since i received the phone.  Also note that the tmobile online billing info shows no overage charges. take that for what you will but as long as i am not able to use 3g then i refuse to pay twice for data(through my cable internet and tmobile)